Gustafson's Resort - Longbow Lake

Gustafson's Resort was established in 1957 and it is still going strong.  Originally, the camp was a timber harvesting headquarters  for the Hudson's Bay Company.  In fact, one cabin was designed with hinges so it could be easily collapsed and moved by sleigh to the local harvesting site where the cabin could serve as a bunk house and cooking area.  Upon purchase, the camp had eight cabins (including a log home that Betty and Walter would make their own) on three acres situated on a point surrounded by water on two sides.  Initially, the camp required a little bit of TLC....

The Gustafson family did not have a great deal of money; but, they did have a secret weapon in the form of Scandinavian grandparents who loved to work.  Working with Walter's parents, Victor (a Swede) and Ingrid (a Norwegian), everyone pitched in to clean the grounds so that guests could have a safe environment.  Our parents often relate the stories about the brush to be cleared, the roads to be repaired, the firewood to be cut, the garbage to be hauled away, and, most importantly, the gracious guests who helped make camp a success.  When Gustafson's Resort opened, the only source of running water was from a cistern serviced by a cantankerous and "electrifying" gas-operated water pump.  Everyone dreaded having to start, but especially stop, that wicked little pump.  Most stood back four feet and stopped it with a stick!  Electricity was limited; ice boxes were still in style; cabins were heated with wood stoves; outhouses ruled.  Few of us grieve the passage of some of these items into the annals of history, but there are stories and good (as well as bad) memories on all fronts....  Everything took a great deal of time and effort as we worked as a team to modernize our Resort.

Betty and Walter, with the help of Walter's parents, and children Bob and Vicky planted trees and created vegetable and flower gardens.  Every spring, more trees were planted and more gardens added....  The beauty of these gardens will be passed down for future generations to enjoy.  In the gardens are roses from Betty's hometown of Clearwater, Manitoba, yellow flowers from the same town that no one can identify, assorted perennials from grandfather's garden and his acquisitions, lilacs from a deserted section house on Macmillan, 8 o'clocks from Weaver's garden in Ohio, and irises from our farm in Lundar, Manitoba.  Brian Twomey of T&T Seeds in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has made specials gifts of the beautiful lilies and roses that abound throughout our grounds.  It seems that each garden has its own story and each is filled with the serenity and beauty that greets the eye, stimulates the mind, and fills the heart.

Gustafson's Resort is a family place.  After all these years, Betty and Walter still enjoy hearing about the guests and their adventures.  Bob and Cheryl have returned to manage the day-to-day operations.  Bob acts as the maintenance man and is constantly planning the next project.  Cheryl is in charge of reservations, ensuring guests are welcomed, and that their accommodations meet our standards.  Sean and Shawna are building on the island so they and our grand-kids assist around camp.  Other family members assist while vacationing; cousins tear out giant poplar roots; extended family members (our lake family) reach out to new and returning guests, cut grass, replace roofs, and contribute whenever assistance is required.  Everyone pitches in to help make our Resort a success.  It is truly a family affair!

Many of our guests have been coming to Gustafson's Resort for generations.  Bob met Cheryl when her parents began spending vacations at the resort more than 55 years ago.  Other guests that used to come with their parents, sometimes now come with grandchildren in tow.  Families such as Anderson, Kueger, Rogers, Grice, Sadaway, Schelllenberg, Frankewicz, Otwaska, Anzia, Delp, Weaver, Baker, Klassen, MacDonald, Feick, Blyth, Seddon, Goodners, Seddon, Bob Phinney, Donna Twomey, Lee Sauter, and so many more have been coming so long that they are part of the Gustafson family, part of our history....

We tell stories; we reminisce....  The old days were much tougher - we split and carried wood for the wood stoves; we pushed and cranked boats up an old roller system between Longbow and Lake of the Woods; old cedar strip boats needs new ribs and all the maintenance that included.  There was a community spirit that drove us and kept up together.  Those are the times that produce some of our warmest memories, our laughter, and, yes, our sorrow in seeing the passing of some of "our family."  Those memories live forever, and, we continue to make new ones every season.  Let us help you make new memories in your "home away from home."